2018–19 KF Tirana season

KF Tirana
2018–19 season
President Refik Halili
Head coach Zé Maria
Stadium Selman Stërmasi Stadium
Albanian Superliga 7th
Albanian Cup Second round
Top goalscorer League:
Dejan Blazhevski (3)
All:
Dejan Blazhevski (4)
Highest home attendance 7,000 vs Partizani Tirana
(28 September 2018)
Lowest home attendance 200 vs Iliria Fushë-Krujë
(25 September 2018)
Home colours
Away colours
Third colours

The 2018–19 season is Klubi i Futbollit Tirana's 80th competitive season, 78th in the Albanian Superliga and 98th year in existence as a football club.

Season overview

June

On 1 June 2018, Tirana announced to have signed a new two-year contract with manager Zé Maria, making him the highest paid coach in Albania.[1] The defender Erion Hoxhallari agreed a new contract until June 2020 despite interest from several European clubs.[2] Then he was sent on loan at fellow Superliga side Laçi on a short-term contract only for their UEFA Europa League campaign.[3]

On 14 June, Tirana reached a principal agreement with striker Michael Ngoo for the contract renewal.[4] The club announced their first summer transfer nine days later, the Macedonian striker Dejan Blazhevski, who signed a 1+1 contract.[5]

On 29 June, the youngster Ernest Muçi signed his first professional contract that will link him with Tirana for the next three years.[6] The club also presented their second signing of summer transfer window, the midfielder Eni Imami who signed for the next two seasons.[7]

July

Tirana begun the month by completing the signing of Vincent Atinga on a contract until June 2021.[8] Youngsters Jurgen Çelhaka and Marsel Ismailgeci both signed three-year contracts, their firsts as professionals.[9][10] The club then announced the next signing, the Ghanaian midfielder Winful Cobbinah, who signed a three-year deal.[11]

The club did not offer a new deal the youngster Patrik Bardhi who left as a free agent and later signed for Kastrioti Krujë.[12] After one season, Alked Çelhaka left the club by terminating the contract by mutual consent.[13]

On 16 July, Asion Daja and Dorian Kërçiku both signed contracts for the new season.[14][15] On 23 July, Tirana beat the concurrence of their rivals Partizani and signed the midfielder Edon Hasani on a two-year contract.[16] The next days, Tirana announced that they were going to play friendly matches with Apolonia Fier, Flamurtari Pristina and Prishtina.[17]

In the first friendly, Tirana recorded a 2–0 win at Selman Stërmasi Stadium against Apolonia Fier with the goal coming from newcomers Dejan Blazhevski and Edon Hasani.[18] On 27 July, Sedat Berisha was unveiled as Tirana's newest player by signing a one-year contract with an option to renew.[19] In the second one, Tirana won again, this time 3–0 versus Flamurtari Pristina.[20]

August

Club vice-captain Gentian Muça returned in training after more than a year after healing from the Spinal disc herniation and a neck tumor which he discovered in July of the previous year.[21][22] In the third and final friendly against Prishtina, Tirana suffered the first loss, as the Football Superleague of Kosovo side won 3–1 with Albi Doka scoring the consolation goal for the team.[23]

On 14 August, Tirana acquired the services of goalkeeper Shpëtim Moçka as a free agent. Moçka, who previously played for Teuta Durrës, signed a contract running until the end of the 2018–19 season.[24] Tirana commenced the Albanian Superliga season four days later by playing against Kamza at home; the team surprisingly lost via a Sebino Plaku late winner.[25] The following week, Tirana didn't go more than a goalless draw against Teuta Durrës, earning their first championship point.[26]

Players such as Rei Qilimi, Alvaro Bishaj, Jurgen Vrapi, Hardy Binguila and Kenneth Muguna were all released by the club.[27][28][29]

On 29 August, Tirana was drawn in the first round of the 2018–19 Albanian Cup against Iliria Fushë-Krujë.[30]

On 31 August 2018, Nnamdi Oduamadi joined the club on a two-year contract.[31]

September

Tirana begun the new month by playing in the third league match against Kukësi at Loro Boriçi Stadium; youngster Ernest Muçi scored the consolation goal for the team which was defeated 3–1.[32] Two goals from Cobbinah and one each from Blazhevski and Turtulli secured a 4–1 victory in the first leg of the Albanian Cup, first round, over Iliria Fushë-Krujë.[33]

Back in league, Tirana won their first championship match on 16 September by defeating Luftëtari Gjirokastër 3–1 at home; Blazhevski, Turtulli and Greca gave Tirana their first top-flight win after 484 days.[34] The team then played Skënderbeu Korçë away in the matchday 5; despite opening the score with a header from Edon Hasani, the team conceded in the last minutes in a match which was marred by referee's mistakes.[35]

On 25 September, Tirana won conformably the second leg of Albanian Cup first round against Iliria Fushë-Krujë; Sentamu scored a hat-trick which was followed by Ngoo's goal.[36] The team will play Flamurtari Vlorë in the second round.[37]

Three days later, Tirana played their first derby match against Partizani Tirana after more than a year; the team lost again, making it 14 consecutive matches without winning.[38] The loss also meant the team's worst Albanian Superliga start since 2007–08 season.[39]

October

Tirana's October begun with a 3–2 win at Kastrioti Krujë for the second win of the season. A brace by Blazhevski and an owngoal from Stijepović sealed the victory for the while&blues.[40] It was Tirana's first away win in Albanian Superliga since February 2016.[41]

In the next league match, Tirana fell at the hands of Laçi; the guests won 1–0 at Selman Stërmasi Stadium thanks to a goal of Redon Xhixha while Blazhevski missed a crucial penalty in the last minutes.[42] Following the match, striker Nnamdi Oduamadi was sent at hospital with a broken rib due to heavy challenges from Laçi players.[43]

Players

Squad information

As of 28 September 2018[44]
Squad no. Name Nationality Position Date of birth (age)
Goalkeepers
1 Ilion Lika Albania GK 17 May 1980 (aged 38)
81 Alessio Abibi Albania GK 4 December 1996 (aged 21)
89 Shpëtim Moçka Albania GK 20 October 1989 (aged 28)
Defenders
2 Marsel Ismailgeci Albania LB 14 March 2000 (aged 18)
3 Klisman Cake Albania CB 2 May 1999 (aged 19)
4 Gentian Muça Albania CB / DM 13 May 1987 (aged 31)
5 Marvin Turtulli Albania CB 17 October 1994 (aged 23)
17 Albi Doka Albania RB 26 June 1997 (aged 21)
28 Erion Hoxhallari Albania LB 26 February 1993 (aged 25)
21 Vincent Atinga Ghana CB 30 October 1993 (aged 24)
23 Sedat Berisha Republic of Macedonia CB 3 September 1989 (aged 28)
Midfielders
6 Tony Mawejje Uganda DM 15 December 1990 (aged 27)
7 Bedri Greca Albania CM 23 October 1990 (aged 27)
8 Winful Cobbinah Ghana AM 6 September 1991 (aged 26)
13 Erando Karabeci Albania CM / DM / AM 6 September 1988 (aged 29)
14 Asion Daja Albania CM / RB 14 March 1990 (aged 28)
16 Edon Hasani Albania CM / DM / AM 9 January 1992 (aged 26)
18 Dorian Kërçiku Albania CM / RB / LB 30 July 1993 (aged 24)
19 Eni Imami Albania CM / LM / CB / LB 19 December 1992 (aged 25)
Forwards
9 Grend Halili Albania CF 24 May 1998 (aged 20)
10 Nnamdi Oduamadi Nigeria CF 17 October 1990 (aged 27)
11 Yunus Sentamu Uganda CF 13 August 1994 (aged 23)
45 Michael Ngoo England CF 23 October 1992 (aged 25)
77 Dejan Blazhevski Republic of Macedonia CF 6 December 1985 (aged 32)

From youth squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
15 Albania MF Jurgen Çelhaka
20 Albania MF Ernest Muçi
No. Position Player
22 Albania MF Jurgen Vrapi
25 Albania MF Andri Stafa

Transfers

Transfers in

Date Pos. Nationality Player Age Moving from Fee Ref
23 June 2018 FW Republic of Macedonia Dejan Blazhevski 31 Vardar Free [5]
29 June 2018 MF Albania Eni Imami 24 Free agent Free [7]
1 July 2018 DF Ghana Vincent Atinga 23 Free agent Free [8]
4 July 2018 MF Albania Jurgen Çelhaka 16 Youth team Free [9]
4 July 2018 DF Albania Marsel Ismailgeci 17 Youth team Free [10]
13 July 2018 MF Ghana Winful Cobbinah 25 Free agent Free [11]
23 July 2018 MF Albania Edon Hasani 25 Free agent Free [16]
27 July 2018 DF Republic of Macedonia Sedat Berisha 27 Free agent Free [19]
14 August 2018 GK Albania Shpëtim Moçka 28 Free agent Free [24]
31 August 2018 FW Nigeria Nnamdi Oduamadi 27 Free agent Free [24]

Transfers out

Date Pos. Nationality Player Age Moving to Fee Ref
8 July 2018 MF Albania Alked Çelhaka 23 Free agent Free [13]
1 August 2018 MF Albania Rei Qilimi 22 Free agent Free [29]
1 August 2018 DF Albania Alvaro Bishaj 26 Free agent Free [29]
9 August 2018 FW Albania Patrik Bardhi 20 Kastrioti Krujë[lower-alpha 1] Free [12]
19 August 2018 MF Kenya Kenneth Muguna 22 Gor Mahia Free [27]
29 August 2018 MF Albania Jurgen Vrapi 19 Dinamo Tirana Free [28]
  1. ↑ Following Bardhi's departure he joined Kastrioti Krujë.

Loans out

Start date Pos. Nationality Name To End date Ref.
14 June 2018LBAlbaniaErion HoxhallariAlbania Laçi3 August 2018[3]

Pre-season and friendlies

Competitions

Competition First match Last match Starting round Final position Record
Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
Albanian Superliga August 2018May 2019 Matchday 1 8 2 2 4 8 10 −2 025.00
Albanian Cup September 2018 First round 2 2 0 0 8 1 +7 100.00
Total 10 4 2 4 16 11 +5 040.00

Last updated: 7 October 2018
Source: Soccerway

Albanian Superliga

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
5 Flamurtari 8 3 2 3 8 7 +1 11
6 Teuta 8 3 2 3 6 7 −1 11
7 Tirana 8 2 2 4 8 10 −2 8
8 Kamza 8 2 1 5 5 7 −2 7
9 Luftëtari 8 2 0 6 6 11 −5 6 Relegation to the Albanian First Division
Updated to match(es) played on 8 October 2018. Source: Albanian Football Association, Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Draw.[45]

Results summary

OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
8 2 2 4 8 10  −2 8 1 1 3 3 4  −1 1 1 1 5 6  −1

Last updated: 7 October 2018.
Source: Competitive matches

Results by round

Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536
GroundHHAHAHAH
ResultLDLWDLWL
Position109987867

Updated to match(es) played on 7 OCTOBER 2018. Source: Competitive matches
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

Albanian Cup

First round

Statistics

Squad stats

League Cup Total Stats
Games played8210
Games won224
Games drawn202
Games lost404
Goals scored8816
Goals conceded10111
Goal difference–2+7+5
Clean sheets112

Last updated: 7 October 2018
Source: Soccerway

Top scorers

No. Pos. Nation Name Albanian Superliga Albanian Cup Total
77 FW Republic of Macedonia Dejan Blazhevski 3 1 4
11 FW Uganda Yunus Sentamu 0 3 3
8 MF Ghana Winful Cobbinah 0 2 2
5 DF Albania Marvin Turtulli 1 1 2
7 MF Albania Bedri Greca 1 0 1
16 MF Albania Edon Hasani 1 0 1
20 FW Albania Ernest Muçi 1 0 1
45 FW England Michael Ngoo 0 1 1
# Own goals 1 0 1
TOTAL 8 8 16

Last updated: 3 October 2018

Clean sheets

The list is sorted by shirt number when total appearances are equal.

Rnk No. Player Albanian Superliga Albanian Cup Total
1 81 Albania Alessio Abibi 101
2 89 Albania Shpëtim Moçka 011
TOTALS 112

Last updated: 25 September 2018

    References

    1. ↑ "Projekti Superiore nis me rinovimin e Ze Marias" [Superliga project starts with Zé Maria renewal] (in Albanian). kftirana.al. 1 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
    2. ↑ "Erjon Hoxhallari rinovon kontraten bardheblu" [Erjon Hoxhallari renew the whiteblue contract] (in Albanian). kftirana.al. 6 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
    3. 1 2 "Laçi gjen shpëtim te Tirana për krahun e majtë, është Hoxhallari" [Laçi find salvation at Tirana for the left flank, its Hoxhallari] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 11 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
    4. ↑ "Michael Ngoo nje tjeter vit bardheblu" [Michael Ngoo, another whiteblue year] (in Albanian). kftirana.al. 14 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
    5. 1 2 "Dejan Blazhevski vishet bardheblu" [Dejan Blazhevski dressed whiteblue] (in Albanian). kftirana.al. 24 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
    6. ↑ "Ernest Muçi 3 vite bardheblu" [Ernest Muçi three years whiteblue] (in Albanian). kftirana.al. 29 June 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
    7. 1 2 "Eni Imami vishet per dy vite bardheblu" [Eni Imami wears whiteblue for two years] (in Albanian). kftirana.al. 29 June 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
    8. 1 2 "Vincent Atinga bardheblu per 3 vite" [Vincent Atinga whiteblue for 3 years] (in Albanian). kftirana.al. 1 July 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
    9. 1 2 "Jurgen Celhaka 3 vite bardheblu" [Jurgen Çelhaka 3 years whiteblue] (in Albanian). kftirana.al. 4 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
    10. 1 2 "Marsel Ismailgeci bardheblu per 3 vitet e ardhshme" [Marsel Ismailgeci whiteblue for the next 3 years] (in Albanian). kftirana.al. 4 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
    11. 1 2 "Winful Cobbina nenshkruan per 3 vite me Tiranen" [Winful Cobbinah signs for 3 years with Tirana] (in Albanian). kftirana.al. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
    12. 1 2 "Kastrioti vijon prezantimet, radhën e ka ish-talenti i Tiranës" [Kastrioti continues the presentations, the turn for the Tirana's ex-talent] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 9 August 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
    13. 1 2 "Fillojnë spastrimet te Tirana, ja kush rrezikon" [The cleansen begun at Tirana, here's who risks] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 9 July 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
    14. ↑ "Asion Daja edhe 2 vite bardheblu" [Asion Daja another 2 whiteblue years] (in Albanian). kftirana.al. 16 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
    15. ↑ "Dorian Kerciku mbetet badheblu" [Dorian Kërçiku remains whiteblue] (in Albanian). kftirana.al. 16 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
    16. 1 2 "Edon Hasani dy sezone bardheblu" [Edon Hasani two seasons whiteblue] (in Albanian). kftirana.al. 23 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
    17. ↑ "Tre miqësore per Tiranën" [Three friendlies for Tirana] (in Albanian). kftirana.al. 24 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
    18. ↑ "Tirana fiton ndaj Apolonisë, Hasani e nis me gol" [Tirana wins against Apolonia, Hasani starts with goal] (in Albanian). sportplus.al. 25 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
    19. 1 2 "Sedat Berisha vishet bardheblu" [Sedat Berisha wears whiteblue] (in Albanian). kftirana.al. 27 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
    20. ↑ "Tirana në super formë, fitore bindëse në miqësoren ndaj Flamurtarit" [Tirana in super form, a convincing win in the friendly versus Flamurtari] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 30 July 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
    21. ↑ "Gentjan Muça i rikthehet stervitjes" [Gentian Muça returns in training] (in Albanian). kftirana.al. 2 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
    22. ↑ "Rrëfimi tronditës i Gentjan Muçës: Ju tregoj si munda tumorin!" [Shocking confession of Gentian Muça: I tell you how i defeated tumor!] (in Albanian). Gazeta Shqiptare. 3 November 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
    23. ↑ "Prishtina fiton kundër Tiranës me rezultatin 3-1" [Prishtina wins against Tirana with the score 3-1] (in Albanian). Gazeta Express. 5 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
    24. 1 2 3 "Shpëtim Moçka firmos për 1 vit me Tiranën" [Shpëtim Moçka signs for 1 year with Tirana] (in Albanian). kftirana.al. 14 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
    25. ↑ "Gol në limit, Kamza mposht Tiranën (Video)" [Goal in the limit, Kamza defeats Tirana (Video)] (in Albanian). Konica.al. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
    26. ↑ "Tirana zhgënjen sërish, vetëm barazim me Teutën" [Tirana disappoints again, only a draw with Teuta] (in Albanian). Sot.com.al. 25 August 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
    27. 1 2 "Gor Mahia re-sign top midfielder Kenneth Muguna after failed transfer to Europe". Goal.com. 19 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
    28. 1 2 "Dinamo "rrëmben" sulmuesin e Tiranës, blutë vazhdojnë përforcimet" [Dinamo "steals" the Tirana striker, the blues continues dhe reinforcements] (in Albanian). Gazeta Panorama. 29 August 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
    29. 1 2 3 "Merkato e çmendur, ja të gjitha lëvizjet e verës. Sa shumë largime e afrime për çdo ekip" [Crazy transfer market, here's all the summer moves. How many departures and arrivals for every team] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 1 September 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
    30. ↑ "Kupa e Shqipërisë, ja datat, turet dhe çiftet sipas skemës përkatëse" [Albanian Cup, here are the dates, rounds and ties according to the respective schemes] (in Albanian). FSHF.org. 20 August 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
    31. ↑ "Nnamdi Oduamadi vishet dy vite bardheblu" [Nnamdi Oduamadi wears two white&blue years] (in Albanian). kftirana.al. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
    32. ↑ "Rexhinaldo i pamëshirshëm, zhyt Tiranën në krizë" [Reginaldo merciless, immerse Tirana in crisis] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 2 September 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
    33. ↑ "Kupa e Shqipërisë, Grupi B/ Flamurtari vuan përballë ekipit të Kategorisë së Dytë, njihuni me rezultatet" [Albanian Cup, Group B/ Flamurtari suffers versus the Albanian Second Division team, get to know the results] (in Albanian). Gazeta Panorama. 12 September 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
    34. ↑ "Pikante Tirana-Luftëtari/ Hoxhallarin e spiunon arbitri i katërt, zbulohet tersi i bardhebluve" [The spicies Tirana-Luftëtari/ Hoxhallari gets spied by the fourth referee, the bad luck of white&blue unveiled] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 17 September 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
    35. ↑ "VIDEO/ Drithërima në Korçë, Skënderbeu barazon në frymën e fundit" [VIDEO/ Thrill in Korçë, Skënderbeu draw in the last breath] (in Albanian). BalkanWeb.com. 22 September 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
    36. ↑ "FT Kupa e Shqipërisë, KF Tirana 4-0 KF Iliria" [FT Albanian Cup, KF Tirana 4-0 KF Iliria] (in Albanian). kftirana.al. 25 September 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
    37. ↑ "KUPA E SHQIPËRISË/ Përcaktohen çiftet, Tirana "zjarr" ndaj vlonjatëve. Ja përballjet e turit të dytë" [Albanian Cup/ The ties are determined, Tirana "fire" against Flamurtari. Here are the clashes of second round] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 26 September 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
    38. ↑ "Derbi i kryeqytetit, rezulatet në 14 ndeshjet e fundit!" [Capital derby, the results in the last 14 matches!] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 25 September 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
    39. ↑ "Statistikat/ Tirana e Ze Marias, e dyta më e keqe në Superiore" [Statistics/ Zé Maria's Tirana, the second worst in Superliga] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 30 September 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
    40. ↑ "Tirana përmbys Kastriotin, Blazhevski njeriu gol" [Tirana overturns Kastrioti, Blazhevski goal-man] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 3 October 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
    41. ↑ "Ze Maria fsheh formacionin, bardheblutë nuk marrin fitore në transfertë që prej…" [Zé Maria conceal the lineup, white&blues hasn't take an away win since…] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 3 October 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
    42. ↑ "VIDEO/ Konfirmohet "macja e zezë", Laçi zhyt Tiranën. Krizë totale te ekipi i Ze Marias" [Video/ The black cat confirmed, Laçi plunge Tirana. A total crisis for Zé Maria's team] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 3 October 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
    43. ↑ "PIKANTE/ "Shi" bidonësh lojtarëve dhe Ze Marias, në fushë luhet me tre topa. Oduamadi shkon në… spital" [A rain of bottles to the players and Zé Maria, is played with three balls in the field. Oduamadi goes to… hospital] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 8 October 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
    44. ↑ "2018–19 KF Tirana squad". Football Database. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
    45. ↑ "Superliga: Season rules". Scoresway. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
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